Highest amount of road fatalities occurred in the Wingecarribee in 2022

A total of 13 people were killed in crashes across the region in 2022, including the five lives lost in Buxton in September.

"Thirteen fatalities is 13 too many for that particular area," said Hume Police District Inspector and Aboriginal engagement officer Ben Bowles.

Not including the deaths in Buxton, Inspector Bowles said four fatalities involved motorcycle riders, one was a bicycle rider and two were in single vehicle crashes.

Read also: Couldn't make it to the Bowral Show? Take a look at these snaps

He said there was not just one contributing factor for the incidents, but it was important for motorists to travel safely and smartly.

Driving to the speed limit, ensuring one has had enough sleep, adapting to road conditions, not using a phone, or ingesting drugs or alcohol are important precautions.

The Inspector said that the Highlands was an area that attracted groups of social motorcyclists, and processes such as having a leading rider, driving to an appropriate speed limit depending on one's experience, and having a tail rider with a first aid kit were crucial.

"These types of accidents have a huge impact on people," he said.

Statewide, 288 people died on the roads in 2022, compared to 275 the year prior.

Read also: Former professional footballer and coach takes out honours

According to TFNSW, 41 per cent of the fatalities were caused by inappropriate and excessive speeding, and 14 per cent were due to fatigue.

Drink and drug driving were estimated to have each contributed to up to 20 per cent of deaths annually.

TFNSW data shows that deaths on roads in the Highlands increased from one in 2021 and 2020, and three in 2019 and seven in 2017.

The thirteen fatalities were followed by nine in the Central Coast local government area.

Deputy Secretary of Safety, Environment and Regulation at Transport for NSW Tara McCarthy said that while there was an increase in deaths statewide in one year, it was below the pre-COVID average of 363 lives lost a year between 2017 and 2019.

Read also: The lineup of installations and exhibitions at Ngununggula has been revealed

"In 2022, as many people returned to the roads and worked on shaping their new normal after two years of COVID restrictions, NSW faced a fresh set of challenges, with record rainfalls battering many parts of the state," she said.

"Sadly, these factors contributed to an increase in the road toll to 288 from the historic low of 275 recorded in 2021."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: